Blood Bank Asks For Business Donors

SANFORD — The president of the Central Florida Blood Bank urges Seminole County businesses to bring more donors into their corporate sponsorship program.

Ed Carr, blood bank president, told representatives of 27 Seminole County businesses this week that they are one of the prime sources of donor referrals. The blood bank, a non-profit organization that serves Seminole, Orange, Brevard, Osceola, St. Lucie, Volusia and Lake counties, gets 49 percent of its donations from businesses, Carr said.

A 4 percent shortage in 1984 prompted the blood bank to institute a program the next year that lured more businesses into establishing reserve accounts, which employees and family members can use during emergencies. Since the program was started in June 1985 the bank has been able to meet the needs of the community, Carr said.

Sanford Mayor Bettye Smith urged those at the Greater Sanford Chamber of Commerce's Breakfast with the Mayor to participate in the program. Smith said blood transfusions have twice saved her life.

''I'm a basically healthy person,'' Smith said. ''If they've saved my life twice, think of how many others they have helped.''

Studies show that one in six Americans will need a blood transfusion sometime in their lifetime, yet only 5 percent of the population donates blood.

A mobile blood bank unit will be sent to businesses that have 35 or more people willing to donate blood. Last year, 169 Seminole County businesses participated in such drives. Those interested should contact one of the two Seminole County branches: Sanford, 322-0822, or Florida Hospital Altamonte, 831-6373.